College Futures Foundation Grant Funds Implementation of Transition to College Mathematics and Statistics Course

LOS ANGELES (Aug. 9, 2017) - Supporting L.A. Unified’s college-readiness efforts, College Futures Foundation has awarded the District a $160,000 grant to implement an advanced, fourth-year math class this fall at nearly four dozen high schools, officials announced today.

The foundation’s grant supplements money from a state College Readiness Block Grant, and will enable the District to offer Transition to College Mathematics and Statistics (TCMS) to more than 3,000 students. The course, which was co-developed with math faculty at California State University Northridge (CSUN) and piloted at seven schools in 2016-17, is designed to reduce the need for remediation and prepare college-bound graduates for the rigors of post-secondary math.

“TCMS is aligned with L.A. Unified’s ‘Destination Graduation’ goal to ensure that all students graduate and experience college and career success,” said Dr. Frances Gipson, the District’s chief academic officer. “Thanks to the generosity of College Futures Foundation and the partnership with CSUN, we will be able to fully implement this course and offer it at all of the schools that requested it.”

The nonprofit College Futures Foundation awards nearly $20 million in grants each year to help students, particularly those who are under-represented in higher education, graduate high school ready for college-level courses and successfully complete college. With math readiness identified as a critical barrier to completing a degree, the organization extended its support to ensure that L.A. Unified students acquire the skills they need to succeed.

“We are proud to support this partnership between L.A. Unified and CSUN to co-develop the TCMS course and provide professional development support to the District’s math teachers,” said Jackie Khor, College Futures Foundation’s vice president for programs. “The California Community Foundation and Project Grad-LA should also be commended for laying the groundwork for the initial pilot schools.”

Peter Rivera, a program and policy development advisor for L.A. Unified’s Division of Instruction, said the progress to date on TCMS demonstrates the important role of partnerships with higher education institutions and community organizations in strengthening student achievement.

“Our partnership with CSUN, Project Grad LA, and College Futures Foundation will ensure more L.A. Unified graduates are ready to succeed when they enter college,” he said. “We are thankful for these partnerships, and we look forward to sharing our innovative practices and continued partnership with other foundations and community organizations to continue to improve the educational outcomes of all our students.”